Anna Lührmann (born 9 December 1983) is a German political scientist known for her work on the measurement of democracy and political participation. She is a professor of political science at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden and serves as co‑director of the Varieties of Democracy (V‑Dem) Institute, which produces one of the most comprehensive datasets on democratic quality worldwide.
Early life and education
Lührmann was born in Hamburg, Germany. She studied political science, sociology, and public law at the University of Hamburg, where she also earned her doctorate (Ph.D.) in political science. Her dissertation examined patterns of youth political participation in Germany.
Academic career
After completing her doctorate, Lührmann held research positions at the University of Hamburg and later at the University of Gothenburg, where she obtained a habilitation in political science. In 2018, she was appointed full professor at the University of Gothenburg. Simultaneously, she took on the role of co‑director of the V‑Dem Institute, collaborating with scholars worldwide to develop, maintain, and expand the V‑Dem dataset and associated analytical tools.
Research focus
Lührmann’s research specializes in:
- The development and measurement of democratic institutions and practices.
- Comparative analyses of political participation, with particular emphasis on youth engagement.
- The methodological challenges of constructing large‑scale cross‑national datasets on democracy.
Key publications and contributions
- Measuring Democratic Quality: A Comparative Approach (co‑edited volume, 2015).
- Numerous peer‑reviewed articles in journals such as Journal of Democracy, Comparative Political Studies, and European Political Science Review that employ V‑Dem data to explore trends in democratic backsliding, civil liberties, and participatory politics.
- Co‑authorship of the V‑Dem data releases (e.g., V‑Dem Dataset 2023), widely cited in academic research, policy analysis, and media reporting on global democracy trends.
Professional affiliations and service
- Member of the International Political Science Association (IPSA).
- Editorial board member for the Journal of Democracy.
- Frequent reviewer for research grants and academic publications in the fields of comparative politics and democratic theory.
Recognition
- Recipient of the 2020 European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR) Best Paper Award for work on democratic measurement.
- Named among the “Young Scholars to Watch” by Political Science Quarterly in 2021.
Public engagement
Lührmann regularly contributes to public discussions on democracy through op‑eds, interviews, and presentations at conferences and think‑tanks. She has provided expert commentary for media outlets such as the BBC, Deutsche Welle, and The Guardian on issues related to democratic resilience and youth participation.
References
- University of Gothenburg faculty profile: Anna Lührmann.
- V‑Dem Institute – Leadership and Research Team.
- Lührmann, A., & Kelemen, D. (2022). “The Global State of Democracy 2022: Trends and Challenges.” Journal of Democracy, 33(2), 45‑60.
This entry reflects information available from publicly verifiable academic and institutional sources as of July 2026.
